Energy windfall tax plea to save lives in the cold

Thousands more lives could be lost in the cold this winter because of spiralling heating bills, it is claimed today.

Already 20,000 deaths a year, mainly among the elderly, are recorded in England alone because of the colder weather.

But the risks this winter will be far worse following a 35 per cent surge in utility prices, warns a coalition of charities, consumer groups and green campaigners.

Charities warn many people - especially the elderly - will struggle to pay their heating bills, which is likely to lead to an increase in deaths

It wants a multi-billion-pound windfall tax to fund 'crisis payments' to millions of households who will not be able to heat their homes. The money would also finance a national drive to ensure all homes have minimum levels of insulation, double glazing and efficient boilers.

The powerful coalition includes the official consumer body Energywatch, Age Concern; Barnardo's; Help the Aged; the Child Poverty Action Group; Disability Alliance; Friends of the Earth; National Energy Action and the National Right To Fuel Campaign.

The proposals, which are also supported by Labour MPs and union leaders, will heap pressure on the Government, which is about to unveil proposals to tackle the energy crisis.

The coalition warned: 'Fuel poverty has become a national disaster - five million households in the UK won't be able to afford to heat and power their homes this winter.

'Over 20,000 deaths - mostly older people - are recorded each year in England alone due to the cold, and the rise in the number of fuel poor is likely to put more lives at risk this winter. Many families with young children are forced to choose between heating their homes and cooking a hot meal.'

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Share

Government energy policy is in disarray after ministerial sources first talked up the possibility of a £100 payment to struggling families only then to dismiss this as a 'gimmick'. The coalition said extra money is needed urgently.

'Fuel-poor households simply do not have enough income to afford to heat and power their homes adequately,' it said.

'The consequences are multiple debts, the forgoing of other essential needs, ill health and mental stress due to the difficulty of paying bills. Crisis payments are required to help those facing unaffordable energy bills.'

Four of the 'big six' power companies are in the hands of foreign utility giants in Germany, France and Spain, which are generating massive profits.

The coalition warned: 'The consequences are multiple debts, the forgoing of other essential needs, ill health and mental stress due to the difficulty of paying bills'

These firms claim any form of windfall tax would jeopardise future investment in new power stations and wind farms. However, the coalition complained: 'Prices are higher than necessary and profits are not being shared equitably between companies and customers.'

Spokesman Ed Matthew said: 'The Government's fuel poverty strategy is hopelessly off course and millions of households are suffering as a consequence - it is literally a life and death situation.'

Earlier this year MPs on the Business Select Committee called for a windfall tax on the estimated £9billion of gains made by the industry from trading in carbon emissions quotas.

The coalition also wants a ban on energy suppliers imposing unfair price mark-ups on customers who have a pre-payment meter.

It says these firms should be required to switch millions of their poorest customers to cheap social tariffs.